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Eddie Perez has just hushed up a lot of his critics. He just pulled out an ace with perfect timing. Well done Mayor.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28364460/

I think he is doing a good job with trying to get this federal funding for the city. I think that the streetscape improvements and public safety spending are just what Hartford really needs right now.

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A History Lesson:

Hartford voters approved construction of a public safety complex on election day 2000. Yes, eight years ago.

The question reporters should be asking....is why it hasn't been built. The city is eight years late in getting this project built.

The city should be focused on keeping companies in the city: under the Perez adminstration the city has lost ING, MetLife, Mass Mutual, WFSB, ....heck even the State Republican Party moved to the burbs.

Front Street was proposed before EVergreen Walk and Blue Back Square, yet the city's slow reacting development attitude was an obstacle.

The city is losing concerts to the casinos, has more empty storefronts than full ones, and downtown lots that have been vacant for decades.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hartford Courant

Courant.com

Mayor Perez Outlines Request For Federal Stimulus Aid

The Hartford Courant

January 14, 2009

Mayor Eddie A. Perez reiterated his plan to ask the federal government for $70 million for "shovel ready" city projects in a speech to the MetroHartford Alliance's Rising Star Breakfast Tuesday morning.

Perez outlined a plan he announced late last year that calls for money from the federal government's stimulus plan. Perez is asking for money for various projects. Perez said he's seeking $25 million from the federal government for the largest of the proposed projects, a new public safety complex.

"Why not? Why not Hartford as a place to start?" Perez said at the alliance's meeting, held at the Connecticut Convention Center. Hartford, he said, "would be a real example for the country."

Perez also is seeking money for school construction, "greening" of city buildings and streetscapes.

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I am happy about the 70 million, but at the same time dissapointed by all of the projects that could potentially be sent on if better planning were in place.

for example,

the reconfiguration of any of our highways

the construction of our commuter rail

the uncovering of the hog river

construction of new state offices so that old offices can be converted to residential.

a New Arena

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I am happy about the 70 million, but at the same time dissapointed by all of the projects that could potentially be sent on if better planning were in place.

for example,

the reconfiguration of any of our highways

the construction of our commuter rail

the uncovering of the hog river

construction of new state offices so that old offices can be converted to residential.

a New Arena

The arena plan is pretty far along, considering the lack of political will at the state level to really get it built. Also, I think that Dodd and John Kerry both have some pretty big transportation bills looming that would be directly applicable to the commuter rail project(s). Planning is definitely not in place to do anything about the highway, but I think there are at least studies about the Park/Hog River issue. I think the arena and commuter rail trump these issues though, not because I don't think something should be done about the other ones but because they are much simpler and more straightforward. I have no doubt that we will see the commuter rail and I'm pretty confident that when all is said and done Hartford will get a new arena. The other issues, I really have no realistic feel for at this point.

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hey, I totally agree, but I guess what I was saying is that its a shame things move so slowly here. I went to a meeting about the highway thing it seems a year ago now, and spoke, and left my e-mail address, and nothing has happened since then. same with the hartford inniative to get young people downtown.

if there were not 6 months between each meeting and nothing done between meetings than something might get done. like I said if there were more planning there is so much that could be done right now.

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hey, I totally agree, but I guess what I was saying is that its a shame things move so slowly here. I went to a meeting about the highway thing it seems a year ago now, and spoke, and left my e-mail address, and nothing has happened since then. same with the hartford inniative to get young people downtown.

if there were not 6 months between each meeting and nothing done between meetings than something might get done. like I said if there were more planning there is so much that could be done right now.

Plus, you would think that arguably 4 of the most powerful senators (Dodd, Kennedy, Kerry, [maybe-not-anymore] LIE-berman) could get together to push rail through in their states. I guess Mass. politicians don't give a crud about Western MA.

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As the joke goes, Massachusetts ends at 495. Anything past Sturbridge, or even Worcester and Fitchburg, is the unknown abyss.

As for Connecticut:

Priority #1 should be a rail system developed statewide. Springfield to New Haven should be the centerpiece, and the first part done.

The arena would be helpful. Fixing the highways is an important issue... but obviously rail is the wave of the future and needs to be the primary focus.

Uncovering the river, just like the Blackstone Canal in Worcester - it would be nice, but it's not necessary. We need to think of things that will help the entire region and the state, not just one particular municipality.

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here is the Hartford list of Obama projects

makes us look pretty conservative compared to other cities

CityStateProgramProject DescriptionFunding RequiredJobs

HartfordCTCDBGHartford has begun a $50 million dollar project to upgrade our 70-year-old flood control system. Hartford recently completed repairs and retained our Army Corps of Engineers certification, concluding the first phase of this project.16,000,000 250

HartfordCTCDBGThe dilapidated Capewell horse nail factory is a key lynch pin for development in the area around Colt Park. At present the project is stalled because of a gap in funding and an $8M appropriation would get it moving again.8,000,000 500

HartfordCTCDBGHartford?s new, state of the art public safety complex will house the Police, Fire, and Emergency response services in the City. It will protect not only the residents of Hartford, but will also serve the State Capitol, the State and Federal Courts.21,000,000 1000

Totals:$45,000,000.001,750.00

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As the joke goes, Massachusetts ends at 495. Anything past Sturbridge, or even Worcester and Fitchburg, is the unknown abyss.

As for Connecticut:

Priority #1 should be a rail system developed statewide. Springfield to New Haven should be the centerpiece, and the first part done.

The arena would be helpful. Fixing the highways is an important issue... but obviously rail is the wave of the future and needs to be the primary focus.

Uncovering the river, just like the Blackstone Canal in Worcester - it would be nice, but it's not necessary. We need to think of things that will help the entire region and the state, not just one particular municipality.

the abyss comment is the classic example of an insecure, parochial culture trying to protect itself against losing its identity to the dominant culture. many mideast muslim-state governments have the same issues; and rightfully so i might add. i have no problem with boston's issues, as long as they stay huddled and isolated where they are.

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the abyss comment is the classic example of an insecure, parochial culture trying to protect itself against losing its identity to the dominant culture. many mideast muslim-state governments have the same issues; and rightfully so i might add. i have no problem with boston's issues, as long as they stay huddled and isolated where they are.

I fail to see where you was going with this.

As for that last line, I remember the time when the state wanted to reintroduce tolls on the turnpike between exits 1 and 6. And all this was to help shore up debts caused by the Big Dig construction? How is this fair to the people of Western Mass.? I'm pretty sure there's other examples.

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Southern connecticut bancorp (SSE) is going to be sold.

There are 3 potential buyers.

New Alliance(NAL), Webster(WBS), and Salisbury Bancorp(SAL)

The 4 branch SSE apparently told a major investor as much and the investor is irritated the sale has not gone through, so he made a filing with the SEC, so its public record. here is the letter the guy sent the company.

it appears the sale is approved the the price is 9 per share.

Investor Says SSE in Talks to Sell for $9+ per Share Southern Connecticut Bancorp Inc. (AMEX: SSE) shares opened sharply higher after a Schedule 13D filing with the SEC revealed that the firm was in talks to sell itself for more than $9.00 per share. Seidman and Associates, which owns a 6.52% stake in the company, questioned why the deal hasn

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HBJ had some good articles this week.

this one is about green jobs and connecticuts position as a leader in green energy.

http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/news7779.html

Environmental Jobs May See Most Growth

Jolly projects that overall growth in green jobs during that 10-year period will be 12 percent, rising from 5,493 in 2006 to 6,148 in 2016.

Connecticut already enjoys a reputation for being at the forefront of fuel cell technologies, home to several major fuel cell companies including UTC Power, FuelCell Energy, Proton Energy Systems and GenCell Corp.

Growth in that area also is expected to grow in response to President Barack Obama

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West Hartfords largest corporate citizen is continuing to grow. This time by acquisition. Based on the numbers of employees (30) joining the firm and the announced total after merger(300) I am guessing the firm is growing by at least 10%.

in articles circulated a few months ago when the founder passed away, the company was listed as the 83 largest in the nation. I am sure this will push them up a few places.

http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/news7814.html

Blum Shapiro, Nishball Carp merge

West Hartford-based accounting-consulting firm Blum, Shapiro & Co. announced today it has merged with Shelton-based Nishball, Carp, Niedermeier, Pacowta & Co.

The new entity, known as Blum Shapiro, has 300 professional and administrative staff with offices in West Hartford, Shelton and Southport, Connecticut and New York.

Seven NCNP principals and 23 staff members will continue to serve their existing clients, as well as new Blum Shapiro clients.

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  • 5 weeks later...

United healthy may move

http://www.courant.com/business/hc-unitedh...0,4460125.story

they say they really prefer downtown, but as part of the negotiations have to lookk outside of downtown.

I really hope that people step up to keep them downtown.

The insurer, which employs 2,300 in the city, confirmed Wednesday that "we are, indeed, evaluating our occupancy options in the Hartford market," including its existing space at Connecticut River Plaza.

"Our preference is to remain in Hartford, and I would say that rather strongly," said Daryl Richard, a UnitedHealth spokesman in Hartford.

UnitedHealth now occupies about 500,000 square feet of office space at Connecticut River Plaza. Only one building in downtown Hartford

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The Phoenix companies are in some real trouble

http://www.courant.com/business/hcu-phoeni...0,1676293.story

These layoffs are massive for a company this size.

add to that the fact that the stock price is only

$0.54 as of right now.

when your stock is so low you can not raise capitol from shares.

their credit rating is now concidered junk Ba1

So this means the company can not raise money through debt issuance.

basicly The phoenix companies has to make it or break on their own at this point. according to todays filing the company is net cash flow positive, but these write downs are murder on them.

we will see how things pan out

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  • 2 weeks later...

More evidence that the area is turning into a major regional transportation and distribution hub.

http://www.courant.com/business/hc-tirerac...0,5875352.story

The Tire Rack Inc., based in Indiana, said Monday that it expects to start stocking a 300,000-square-foot warehouse at 100 International Drive by August. The distribution center is being built by Griffin Land and will be occupied by Tire Rack in a long-term lease.

A Tire Rack spokesman said that the company wasn't ready yet to disclose employment, but based on the size of the facility, it could employ about 200, local brokers said.

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More evidence that the area is turning into a major regional transportation and distribution hub.

http://www.courant.com/business/hc-tirerac...0,5875352.story

The Tire Rack Inc., based in Indiana, said Monday that it expects to start stocking a 300,000-square-foot warehouse at 100 International Drive by August. The distribution center is being built by Griffin Land and will be occupied by Tire Rack in a long-term lease.

A Tire Rack spokesman said that the company wasn't ready yet to disclose employment, but based on the size of the facility, it could employ about 200, local brokers said.

Location, value/affordability, and available workforce. These are the things that will keep this region strong. Our region literally has very little to worry about. It's very attractive region to do business in especially compared to other parts of the Northeast. We just need for that to spill over to tangible positive effects on the city of Hartford. There is really no reason, other than airport proximity, why this facility could not be located in Hartford. We have to be more competitive and conducive to business within the region than we are now.

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Northeast Utilities is joining the big boys.

Today NU is making a public offering of 15.5 Million new shares

This is because at the close of business today, the company will be joining the S&P500 there are dozens, even hundereds of investment funds out there that mirror the S&P500, so they needed to offer more shares. or at least chose to offer more shares.

the company will gain 361Million in new capitol minus expenses, so likely close to 350 Million in new capitol.

It will be interesting to see how the company will put this capitol to use.

http://www.courant.com/business/hc-northea...0,4806330.story

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